Potatoes are relatively easy to grow and can be grown in garbage bags, sacks, or potato bins. The potato bin is actually a large plastic 20 to 25 gallon bucket. This type of bin is large enough to accommodate other vegetable projects such as tomatoes, squash and cucumbers. Looking for the perfect bin? We have Gardman potato tubs in stock -- these bags pop up and have access flaps on the side that allow you reach in and pull out potatoes when ready to harvest.

Sun and Shade
Most hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, and don’t deal well with hot climates. Coastal climates are ideal, as are cool summer areas. Both too much heat and too little sun can contribute to poor performance for old fashioned hydrangeas. PeeGee hydrangeas deal much better with heat. Oak leaf hydrangeas are perfect for partial shade areas. No hydrangea will bloom in deep shade.

Water and Fertilizer
Hydrangeas prefer to be evenly moist, and love a fertile spoil. That having been said, when using commercial fertilizers, it’s often advised to use half strength liquid fertilizer so you don’t stimulate too much leaf growth at the expense of the flowers.

Pruning
Most (except re-bloomers) bloom on old wood, so severe pruning is not necessary. Prune away dead wood each spring, and dead head the flowers that are past their prime to promote the most flowers on each bush. PeeGee and Annabelle hydrangeas are more tolerant.

Soil
Hydrangeas prefer soil rich in organic matter. You may have heard that you can change the color of a hydrangeas blooms based on soil composition. It’s true that the pink and blue varieties are influenced by the soil ph. You can change a pink hydrangea to blue by adding aluminum sulfate to the soil to make it more acidic. It is pretty difficult to change a blue hydrangea to pink…

Problems
The biggest problems hydrangea gardeners have is lack of bloom… This is usually caused by one of three things… a late freeze, using a variety that is not intended for your climate, or pruning too much of the old wood away.

Here are a few tips that will help you have a “berry good time” in no time.

Berries are insect pollinated so attracting many different kinds of bees and other pollinators is important. Berry flowers vary in size and shape, so different species of pollinators are better at pollinating the various flowers.

Cross-pollination is required for some blueberry varieties, and it is recommended for all varieties. To ensure good pollination, plant at least two different varieties that bloom at the same time.

Many people don’t realize this, but a huge plus about blueberry plants is that they make excellent hedges. In order to form a solid hedge or screen, you should plant them with only 2½ to 3 inches apart from the next plant.

Store berries — short term — in the refrigerator. To freeze, spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place them in the freezer for about an hour then pack into plastic freezer containers.

In areas that experience cold winters, simply place the canes on the ground and cover with a heavy layer of mulch. This will be sufficient cold-weather protection. In the early spring, before new growth emerges, lift the canes and reattach them to your support.